April is my
favorite month of the year. Why wouldn’t it be? It’s my birth month.
No wonder I
embrace the sun, sand and shores. I love the smell of sun-dried clothes, the
sound of the sand as my toes crush them, and the view of the shoreline as the
sun sets, after a fun-filled day.
It was a
no-brainer, therefore, when I chose to re-visit Cuatro Islas of Inopacan-Hindang,
Leyte for a post-birthday celebration with my family. Then, two weeks later,
hopped on a boat to return to Canigao Island. This time, with my little girl in
tow, who, like her Mama, is a mermaid-in-the-making.
She loves
the water as much as I do. The last time I was in Canigao, I have yet to get
pregnant with her. Her Kuya Paul at the time too was a little more than three
years old.
Meanwhile,
the last time I was at Digyo Island of the famed Cuatro Islas was when I was
still in university; and we just went through the island. The same goes for
Mahaba Island, which was and still remains to be a fish sanctuary. We were
staying at the time at Apid Island – all four sisters, Mama and Papa, Lola
Charing, a few cousins, Titos and Titas.
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| Cottages line up the shoreline of Digyo Island |
Cuatro Islas
Today, the
people of Inopacan has turned Digyo into THE “resort island” but you can always
go island-hopping to all the other islands. Digyo, however, is the only place
where tourists are allowed to stay the longest – even an overnight respite.
Digyo is
where the cottages are located, where the sari-sari stores and a souvenir shop are
situated, and where the municipality legally collects the entrance and cottage
fees. The parties are here too – made possible thanks to the solar lampposts
positioned all over the island.
For a
hassle-free trip, tap the services of Fran-Con Viaje Internationale – an
Ormoc-based travel agency that, surprisingly, offers affordable local tours.
For P9,500, good for 10 people, the group gets a van (that can accommodate a
maximum of 14 people), paid-for entrance and cottage fees and a pump boat that
is ready to go the moment you arrive at the Inopacan jetty port.
Bring your
own food and water – or you could opt to upgrade the tour package to include
these necessities. You can contact the tour agency at 561-8039 or visit their
office at Real Street, Ormoc.
To cap the
day (and my post-33rd birthday celebration), the family went to
Matalom’s Pagatpat Seafood Restaurant. The food did not disappoint and their
mango shake is now a personal favorite.
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| The fambam at Mahaba Island of the famous Cuatro Islas |
Canigao
The
beautiful island of Canigao is also in Matalom and can be reached through a
jetty port at the back of the town’s municipal building. There, you’ll have to
register and pay both the roundtrip boat fare and entrance fee. Total cost is
P95.
Island cottages
are on a “first come, first served” basis and costs P500 for day use and P700
for an overnight stay at the island.
Canigao
Island’s charm as a family-friendly island destination – because it is just a
10-minute pump boat ride away from mainland Matalom, saving you the worries of
a long sea trip with all your children with you – remains as charming as when I
was here seven years ago. It still has the coolest of seawater, colder than
Digyo’s, and boasts a canopy of trees, apt for a picnic and a hammock. The sun
isn’t as bright, too, with all the trees surrounding the island.
A dip in its
cool, blue water is a must; and so is a tour of the entire island. Canigao
Island remains a favorite summer island get-away for Leyteños.
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| The author with husband and children do the obligatory pose at the Canigao Island's tourist signage |
Maasin City Zoo
Now, while
in the area, try dropping by the Maasin City Zoo, which is exactly what we did
on April 23, during a summer outing with my family and a few friends.
This is my
family’s third time to visit the zoo, which is located at Danao Forest Park,
Sitio Danao, Malapoc Norte. If you’ve been to Monte Cueva, you take that same
road. Go straight. You won’t get lost as signage after signage leading you to
the zoo abound. The locals are quite friendly, too. Politely ask for
directions.
The zoo has
changed for the better the last time we were here – summer of 2013 before
Typhoon Yolanda happened. There are quaint picnic tables outside the zoo’s
vicinity, where one can take his meals or snacks. We had our breakfast there.
There is a
canteen, too. The restrooms are clean and functioning. The animals’ cages are
much better-looking now.
The children
were also allowed to feed the two camels and the miniature horses with the
plants our guide gave them. They even got up close and personal with these
animals as they petted the “ponies” per my little girl. This was a dream come
true for her, as she is quite obsessed with the “My Little Pony” cartoon
characters of Hasbro.
The lion
still looked imposing. The tiger looked healthy. The snakes gave me the chills,
as usual; so did the crocodiles. The collection of birds was a hit with our
group, especially the beautiful and colorful peacocks.
The parrot
became my Kuya Paul’s favorite and the odd-looking Cassowary – a flightless
bird of the ostrich family – that Kuya Paul thinks resembled a “dinosaur”.
The monkeys
remained aggressive and show-offs, while the Australian spotted reindeer were
as soothing to look at as Disney’s Bambi.
Entrance fee
for adults is at P150 while it is P50 for the children. The Maasin City Zoo is
as enjoyable the first, the second and the third time around.
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| My little adventurers pose with the camels |
Now, why go
far this summer when we’ve got Cuatro Islas, Canigao Island and the Maasin City
Zoo to excite us and cool-off the summer heat?!
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| EV Mail April 25-May 1, 2016 Revisiting Cuatro Islas, Canigao... and Maasin Zoo |
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